No urgency to upgrade de-addiction centres

Almost two years have passed since the state mental health policy recommended de-addiction centres in all district and taluk hospitals. Let alone new centres, experts say even existing ones have not been upgraded. Many of these centres lack basic infrastructure facilities, face shortage of doctors, clinical psychologists and trained counsellors.

Dr K. Jayaprkash, psychiatrist, said, “only de-addiction centres attached to five medical college hospitals are well-equipped. There are very few in primary and tertiary care sector. Many of the centres run by charitable organisations do not even have full- time psychiatrists.’’ The new liquor policy may not increase the number of patients at de-addiction centres all of a sudden, but certainly there would be an increased demand for such centres in future, he added.

Clinical psychologist Dr K. Girish said those who were moderately-to-severely affected by excessive consumption of alcohol require in-patient rehabs or residential treatment centres. “The cost of residential treatment in private sector is quite high as patients need to be admitted at least for four to six weeks. But in government sector, such facilities are limited and the health authorities should now focus on setting up residential centres and rehabs attached to taluk and district hospitals. Such patients need an environment which keeps them away from triggers,’’ he added.

Severe withdrawal symptoms like convulsions, seizures, blackouts, body tremors and disorientation if not managed medically could lead to fatal situation, he said.

“I think we need to focus more on community-based de-addiction programme and effective mechanism for follow-ups,’’ he said and added, “even if one person is saved, the entire family is saved.’’